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12 Days of FileMaker 12: Server Performance

May 31, 2012 by Kirk Bowman 4 Comments

FileMaker Server 12 statistics graph

FileMaker Server is the primary tool for monitoring and enhancing the performance of FileMaker solutions. FileMaker Server 12 provides new features to increase the ability of the database administrator or developer to create the best experience for the users.

Performance Tools in FileMaker Server

In this session from the 12 Days of FileMaker 12, I explore six aspects of performance with the new server.

  1. Faster WAN Performance – FileMaker Server 12 can perform finds up to 40% faster, display large value lists quicker, and evaluate filtered portals on the server instead of the workstation. The enhancements improve the performance of FileMaker over a wide-area network.
  2. More Stable Architecture – The server architecture has six separate processes to isolate the impact of one on another. Five of the processes can start, stop or restart from the command line for more control over the server.
  3. More Efficient Backups – Backup schedules only backup the databases that have changed, using hard links for databases that have not changed. The new Progressive Backup goes further by backing up on the data that has changed. Both reduce the time necessary to back up a database.
  4. 64-bit Application – On a 64-bit operating system, FileMaker Server 12 can use up to one terabyte of RAM for the server cache. It is important because RAM is faster than the hard disk. The database, web publishing, ODBC and progressive backup processes are each 64-bit.
  5. Progressive Media Download – With the new Remote Container feature, the server can create thumbnails of large images and stream PDF and video files directly to FileMaker Pro asynchronously.
  6. Faster Web Publishing – The new 64-bit Web Publishing Engine can handle more simultaneous custom web publishing requests, faster than the previous server. Also, session management is faster due to a new caching algorithm.

Even with these new features, performance is a complex interaction of hardware, software (OS), and database design. FileMaker Server 12 includes a new graph view for server statistics and more flexibility in the Log Viewer to help identify weak spots in the performance equation.

FileMaker Server Training

To go deep into performance with FileMaker Server 12, watch the video below including 15 minutes of question and answer.

Filed Under: FileMaker Server Tagged With: 12 Days of FileMaker 12, Backup, FileMaker 12, Performance, Video

12 Days of FileMaker 12: Accessibility

May 25, 2012 by Susan Fennema Leave a Comment

In this session from the 12 Days of FileMaker 12, we explore new accessibility features that make it much easier for the blind and visually impaired to use FileMaker Pro. Our FileMaker solutions often show us how to use them. New tools in FileMaker Pro 12 allow developers to make your applications “show” blind and visually impaired users how to use them through screen readers.

Accessibility in FileMaker Pro

Whether you’re using FileMaker Pro to build an application for a school, business or distribution, you need to leverage the screen reading services built into today’s modern operating systems. Topics include an overview of accessibility technology, how to add accessibility text to layout objects in FileMaker Pro 12, general guidelines for writing accessibility hints and how to test accessibility text in FileMaker Pro 12.

About Chad Sager

Chad Sager’s formal education was in the fine arts in Milwaukee where he received his BFA as a painting major. He moved back to his hometown of Houston to work at an art gallery and practice as an artist. His interest in technology took shape using FileMaker Pro to build an inventory and invoicing application for the gallery. A grant from the Dallas Museum of Art led him to Philadelphia (in a roundabout way), where he began working for IT Solutions in 2006.

Chad has developed applications in multiple technologies, including iOS, SQL Server and .NET, and of course FileMaker Pro; where he has built and supported one of the largest FileMaker applications at IT Solutions over the last three years. Among Chad’s accomplishments since joining IT Solutions, a Platinum level member of the FileMaker Business Alliance, are certifications in FileMaker versions 8 through 11, and SQL Server 2008 Developer.

Filed Under: Layout Design Tagged With: 12 Days of FileMaker 12, FileMaker 12, Layout objects, Video

12 Days of FileMaker 12: Window Styles

May 21, 2012 by Susan Fennema Leave a Comment

In this session from the 12 Days of FileMaker 12, we explore enhancements to the New Window script step that provide much more control over new windows and their behavior.

Window Styles in FileMaker Pro

This video discusses techniques for utilizing the new “Specify Advanced Styles” option to configure mode-less document windows and modal dialog windows. We explore new features and look at a variety of examples and possibilities.

About Chad Adams

Chad Adams is the presenter. He is an Information Analyst with Skeleton Key, a FileMaker Business Alliance Platinum level member in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a FileMaker 7,8,10 and 11 certified developer and has been working with FileMaker for over 15 years. Over that time, he’s run his own business, worked for FileMaker consulting firms and has been an in-house developer.

Chad has authored articles for FileMaker Advisor Magazine and is a regular contributor to the Skeleton Key YouTube channel. His biggest and most enjoyable job is being Dad to his 11-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son.

Filed Under: Scripting Tagged With: 12 Days of FileMaker 12, FileMaker 12, Video

Implementing Effective Security

May 15, 2012 by Susan Fennema Leave a Comment

Announcing our next free webinar Implementing Effective Security on Wednesday, June 6, at 12pm CST. The webinar is part of a series of one-hour lunch-and-learn sessions for intermediate FileMaker Pro users and developers.

Implementing a proper security model often requires going beyond controlling whether or not someone can log into a database. FileMaker Pro includes a robust set of features for controlling which users have access to what information and what they can do with that information via the accounts and privileges settings.

This webinar will explore how to isolate legitimate users from sensitive operations or information within a database, how to associate privileges with authenticated accounts, and how to control specific features within a database based on a given user’s assigned privileges.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Video

12 Days of FileMaker 12: New Calculation Functions

May 14, 2012 by Anders Monsen Leave a Comment

FileMaker 12 calculation categories

In this session from the 12 Days of FileMaker 12, we explore over a dozen new functions in FileMaker 12. The new features include improved container fields, new window styles, and a new plug-in updating methodology. It doesn’t end there, as there is a pair of functions that deal with ID values, some FileMaker Go specific functions, and native access to FileMaker’s SQL engine with the ExecuteSQL function.

New Container Functions

FileMaker 12 calculation categories

Two new categories appear in the calculation dialog: Container Functions and Mobile Functions.

The former provides the ability to get the height and width of content in containers using GetHeight( ) and GetWidth( ) functions. It returns height and width in pixels for images. Other items in the container field, such as movies or files, return 0. In addition, we have the ability to generate a thumbnail of an image with the GetThumbnail( ) function.

Since FileMaker 12 now enables us to store containers in external folders, checking the validity of the stored data reveals whether this has been changed or tampered with outside of FileMaker. Using VerifyContainer( ) shows 0 or 1 depending on whether the files have changed or not.

New Mobile Functions

There are two specific mobile functions that deal with Location information: Location( ) and LocationValues( ). Previous versions of FileMaker in mobile devices were forced to get geolocation information using JavaScript. By making this native, you can get longitude and latitude from Location and store these in your database. LocationValues displays a return delimited list containing longitude, latitude, altitude, horizontal accuracy, vertical accuracy, and age in minutes.

Both functions accept two parameters, one required and one optional. The first is the accuracy of meters, and the second is the length in seconds allowed before timeout.

Updating Plug-ins

Another new feature in FileMaker Pro 12 radically changes the method to update plug-ins. Previous versions managed this through a daunting and often complex AutoUpdate process via FileMaker Server. There is now an Install Plug-in File script step, and a function to return a list of currently installed plug-ins: Get( InstalledFMPlugins ). This result includes the plugin name, version, and current state – Enabled, Disabled, or Ignored. The publisher must enter the version number in the resource file (Windows) or info.plist.file (Mac), so keep this in mind when setting up this process.

ID and Tab Panel Functions

The new pair of ID functions each return a long string of alphanumeric characters but are completely different in purpose. Get( UUID ) returns a universal unique identifier, a unique 16-byte string in the format 8-4-4-4-12, such as E10FD6CB-2CB3-471A-B4B5-3CC2509F49EE. This function lets users create unique keys and avoids key collision when merging records from multiple tables, for example.

Meanwhile, Get( PersistentID ) captures the unique identifier of the device accessing your solution, either desktop or mobile. Whereas you still can get the account name or username, the new string like AF376F280690001931BFED4E890FADDB shows the device ID.

Along with some new tab control script triggers, there are two new functions.

  • Get( TriggerCurrentTabPanel )
  • Get( TriggerTargetTabPanel )

When coupled with the script triggers, navigating from tab to tab will return values via these functions. The first shows the originating tab panel (number and object name) and the second the current tab panel (number and object name). The naming can be  confusing when going to a new tab, so “current” is the actual target. Still, with these values we have a way to track and control navigation between tab control panels.

Window-Style Functions

A new feature in FileMaker 12 is the ability to have two new window states. Previously new windows were document windows. If you wanted to prevent the users from closing them, you needed to set up a script, pause and then start the script again, or use script triggers.

Now you can set up a floating document window and a dialog window. So, to go along with this, we have a function that returns a number as to the state of the window, which we can use to determine action based on that window. Get( WindowStyle ) will return the following:

  • 0 – Window is a document window
  • 1 – Window is a floating document window
  • 2 – Window is a dialog window

Execute SQL Function

Finally, a function that deserves a webinar all on it’s own, and in fact FM Academy just had such a webinar: Greg Lane’s walk-through of the ExecuteSQL( ) function.

It is a function that previously required plugins. There are some limitations compared to the plug-in functionality because ExecuteSQL( ) only permits the use of the SELECT statement. It means no ability to update, insert, delete, drop, or replace via SQL. Having this as a new tool in FileMaker creates great opportunity. The function format is:

ExecuteSQL( sqlQuery ; fieldSeparator ; rowSeparator { ; argument … } )

The sqlQuery is the SELECT statement, placed inside double quotes, such as “select first_name from contacts”. The fieldSeparator and rowSeparator default to a comma and return when you use “” for the parameters. You can use other separators such as tab, pipe, etc.

The optional arguments parameter lets you use a record’s field value as a parameter, useful when querying the context of individual records. Learning this function will give you a great new tool in your FileMaker development.

FileMaker Calculations Training

Filed Under: Calculations Tagged With: 12 Days of FileMaker 12, ExecuteSQL, FileMaker 12, Video

12 Days of FileMaker 12: Converting and Upgrading

May 14, 2012 by Kirk Bowman Leave a Comment

You want to start taking advantage of all the great new features in FileMaker 12, but you don’t know where to start? In this session from the 12 Days of FileMaker 12, we explore deploying FileMaker even if your environment has an older version of FileMaker.

Converting and Upgrading to FileMaker 12

Topics in this video include:

  • Testing your existing solution with FileMaker 12
  • Converting your existing solution to FileMaker 12
  • Backing up your data and settings from the current version of FileMaker
  • Uninstalling the earlier version of FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Server
  • Deploying FileMaker Server and connect it to your existing web server
  • Managing existing plug-ins with FileMaker 12

About Tim Neudecker

Tim Neudecker is a leading software engineer who has over 20 years’ experience as a professional FileMaker developer. He spent over ten years as an in-house developer for companies such as Macy’s/Bloomingdales and AGA. In 2003, he joined KyoLogic as co-founder and CTO.

Tim has presented four times to the FileMaker Developer Conference on topics including security, system performance and developer tools. He has published articles in FileMaker Advisor on system integration and performance tuning. In 2003, he was honored with a FileMaker Excellence Award for his contributions to the developer community.

Filed Under: FileMaker Server Tagged With: 12 Days of FileMaker 12, Best practices, FileMaker 12, Performance, Video

12 Days of FileMaker 12: Script Trigger Enhancements

May 14, 2012 by Susan Fennema Leave a Comment

Using Script triggers has become common place in FileMaker development — and with the new enhancements in FileMaker 12, we have even more power.

Script Trigger Enhancements in FileMaker Pro

In this session from the 12 Days of FileMaker 12, we look at an update to Script Debugger in FileMaker Pro Advanced for globally enabling/disabling triggers, as well as new indicators, and new triggers.

About Sameer Khan

Sameer Khan is the presenter. He is a FileMaker 9-11 Certified Developer and Authorized Trainer employed by Anvil Dataworks, a development firm outside of Washington DC. He has been working with FileMaker for over eight years. His students say that he is an interesting person and a knowledgeable teacher.

Filed Under: Scripting Tagged With: 12 Days of FileMaker 12, FileMaker 12, Script triggers, Video

12 Days of FileMaker 12: Execute SQL Function

May 7, 2012 by Susan Fennema Leave a Comment

FileMaker 12’s new ExecuteSQL function opens up the power and flexibility of the SQL query language to any FileMaker calculation. In this session from the 12 Days of FileMaker 12, we explore techniques for using the ExecuteSQL function within calculations to gather and manipulate data for reports, charts and dashboards.

Using the ExecuteSQL Function

This video explores a variety of built-in and custom functions to slice and dice data in any context. We also cover the basics of the SQL SELECT statement so anyone can get started quickly.

About Greg Lane

Greg Lane is VP of Application Development at Skeleton Key, a FileMaker Business Alliance Platinum level member in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a FileMaker 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 certified developer and has enjoyed solving problems with FileMaker for more than 20 years.

Greg has authored articles for FileMaker Advisor Magazine and has contributed to books, white papers, and other FileMaker-related publications. He is looking forward to speaking about FileMaker and SQL again at the 2012 FileMaker Developer Conference.

Filed Under: Calculations Tagged With: 12 Days of FileMaker 12, ExecuteSQL, FileMaker 12, Video

12 Days of FileMaker 12: Server File Management

April 30, 2012 by Kirk Bowman Leave a Comment

Changes in FileMaker Server 12’s backup scheme and the new ability to store container data externally offer significant improvements in data protection, performance and data delivery to the user.

File Management in FileMaker Server

In this session from the 12 Days of FileMaker 12, we explore

  • Full backup functionality changes (hard links)
  • Understanding, configuring and restoring from progressive backups
  • Understanding and implementing external container data storage
  • Delivering container data via HTTP streaming
  • Secure vs. open storage

About Colin Keefe

Colin Keefe holds an MFA in Sculpture from Cranbrook Academy of Art. He built his first FileMaker database in the front office of a woodshop in 1994. Subsequently he spent time in a Silicon Alley startup before beginning full-time FileMaker development in 1998, first at EnglishComp and then as an independent developer.

Colin has been with IT Solutions Consulting since 2005, where he is currently a Project Manager in the Application Development department. He holds FileMaker certifications for Versions 7 through 11, is a FileMaker Authorized Trainer, has presented at DevCon, conducted roundtable sessions at Pause On Error, and written for FileMaker Advisor Magazine. He’s also been the coordinator for the Philadelphia FileMaker User Group since 2008.

Filed Under: FileMaker Server Tagged With: 12 Days of FileMaker 12, Container fields, FileMaker 12, Performance, Video

12 Days of FileMaker 12: Design Surface Changes

April 30, 2012 by Susan Fennema Leave a Comment

When files are open in a new version of FileMaker, there are changes to the layout appearance. Objects will use the default themes of a layout, or round or gradient themes styles appear.

Design Surface Changes in FileMaker Pro

In this session from the 12 Days of FileMaker 12, we look at the new applied theme control, default themes, and the new assistance tools.

About Sameer Khan

Sameer Khan is a FileMaker 9-11 Certified Developer and Authorized Trainer employed by Anvil Dataworks, a development firm outside of Washington DC. He has been working with FileMaker for over eight years. His students say that he is an interesting person and a knowledgeable teacher.

Filed Under: Layout Design Tagged With: 12 Days of FileMaker 12, FileMaker 12, Layout objects, Video

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